Waimate facing $400k roading bill

Waimate is looking at a bill of more than $400,000 for flood damaged roads following recent heavy rain and there are concerns such weather is becoming more common.

The recent rough weather was most notable on November 23 when the Waimate District Council emergency operations centre was activated due to high river and ford levels.

At a council meeting on Tuesday, concerns were raised about a perceived increase in dramatic weather events and the related costs.

Chief executive Stuart Duncan said the council would have to wait until existing weather patterns rolled over to get a proper look at the extent of the damage.

Waimate mayor Craig Rowley concurred.

‘‘The reason for some delay in roading stuff is with the weather pattern at the moment,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s no use doing minor repairs with the way the weather is.’’

Councillor Tom O’Connor said he had been told these weather events ‘‘could be the new normal’’.

‘‘It’s something to do with what’s happening in the Pacific,’’ he said.

Following the meeting, Duncan confirmed the council was looking at a bill of $400,000-$430,000 in flood damage to the roading network. That was made up primarily of scouring to gravel roads.

Duncan said there had been significant pavement damage on McHenry’s Rd, which would require a rebuild.

There were bridges that required upstream scour protection to prevent future damage and some river realignment work was needed to protect bridges and culverts.

It was also revealed on Tuesday that the council is facing a bill of up to $30,000 to reinstate the Hook-Waituna water supply following recent torrential rain.

Duncan said yesterday the weir had been temporarily repaired as of late Tuesday.